Journal of Entomological Science (2004) 39, 643-653

Jeffrey R. Aldrich, Qing-He Zhang and Aijun Zhang (2004)
Synergistic chemical attraction of the eastern yellowjacket, Vespula maculifrons (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
Journal of Entomological Science 39 (4), 643-653
Abstract: Combinations of (E)-2-hexenal diethyl acetal, racemic alpha-terpineol or linalool, with or without benzyl alcohol incorporated into polyvinyl chloride attracted wasps in the Vespula vulgaris species group, including the Eastern, Vespula maculifrons (Buysson), and German, V. germanica (F.), yellowjackets. (E)-2-hexenal diethyl acetal degrades to release (E)-2-hexenal (the active attractant form) and ethanol, which may help kill yellowjackets caught in the water inside the traps used for testing. Combining the (E)-2-hexenal diethyl acetal/alpha-terpineol or linalool mixtures with another blend previously reported as attractive to yellowjackets (acetic acid/isobutanol) synergistically attracted the Eastern yellowjacket. It is hypothesized that the synergistic attraction is a result of combining volatile chemicals associated with carbohydrate feeding (acetic acid/isobutanol) and volatiles associated with foraging for insect prey (hexenal/alpha-terpineol or linalool).
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Jeffrey R. Aldrich, Qing He Zhang, Aijun Zhang

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Vespula germanica
	Vespula maculifrons